Drive a Mini yet? LOL test driving...

ping · 11-17-2003, 03:18 PM

Only a handful of cars have actually caused me to LAUGH OUT LOUD during the test drive... and sometimes the subsequent ownership... among them:

1991 16V GTI, SCCA SSB spec, 6-point rollcage, handbuilt techtonics motor, R-compound race tires on my commuter car... 'nuf said!

1989 Olds Cutlass sales car: 4-cylinder Iron Duke, 3-speed automatic... baby blue metallic, bench seat... no cassette... company car. Couldn't get out of its own way... Couldn't believe cars could BE so bad, hated the d@mn thing but it amazed me and, given nothing but routine maintenance and machine washes, never broke in 60kmiles of pretty extreme driving (despite numerous attempts... jk...)

The Mini simply had me belly-laughing, and my wife/still-gf tells me that during the "S" test drive I actually "giggled" (her word, not mine, and I don't remember anything but the afterglow...)

SO... unless you're prepared to relinquish the keys to your MSP, do NOT drive the Mini. It's a hoot. GREAT car, but was too small for me. I thought the MSP came closest to the Mini's direct "feel", and it offered me the stereo and an extra seatbelt in back to boot. What did you guys think?

(PS: "Guys" = generic, non-gender specific term)

-LD

REMillers · 11-17-2003, 03:21 PM

I'd love to take one around a AutoX or track once, looks like a enjoyable little sprinter. Don't know about laughing out loud, though I would have a big old shit grin.

funnylittlman · 11-17-2003, 03:23 PM

I hear they have had many ecu reflashes due to their hessitation issue, can you attest to this Ping when you drove it?

Zray · 11-17-2003, 03:36 PM

I drove the SRT4 and the Tiburon when car shopping a couple weeks ago, and the only time I had that giddy experience you're describing was earlier that same day when I jumped in the MSP on a lark. I remember the first time I saw a MSP; I was at a car show and had been checking out all the 350z's and Crossfires and all those fancy shmancy cars, and then I saw this bright yellow thing parked at the Mazda section and started checking it out, immediately thinking "they've tricked this one out pretty nice for the show." Heh... of course it was stock

I test drove the MSP before the other cars, and nothing else I've been in since then comes even close.

I thought about checking out a Mini, but it's just so... small. =)

laracroft · 11-17-2003, 04:16 PM

Mini's are cute. I just keep having lil' people thoughts though. Even time I see one stop at a light, I keep imagining about 15 clowns with lil umbrellas and big red shoes poping out. lol

Excitmnt94 · 11-17-2003, 07:36 PM

yeah...those are what i am shooting for next year in Auto-X. at the last event...i was only about a second behind the first place mini S. i still need to drive one though...just to see how fun they can be.

Aaron · 11-17-2003, 08:40 PM

minis are kewl!!! i test drove an "s" and it was awesome. I would of got one if it was 5grand cheeper. the msp is the best bang for the buck!!!! I love my msp!!!!

ping · 11-17-2003, 10:13 PM

Aww c'mon! This is an MSP thread - comparing the MSP to the Mini! Over zealous cleanup this time... ;-) no probs though, got me into a new car lounge for a while...

And nope - no hesitation in the "S" that I drove, but I was laughing too hard (maybe that causes the hesitation....!)

122 Vega · 11-17-2003, 10:18 PM

Supposedly the hesitation in first gear in the Mins is fixed, I'll find out in May when my wife takes delivery of this...

[IMG]/members/122 Vega/CooperS/ccopersworks.jpg[/IMG]

Excitmnt94 · 11-18-2003, 11:37 AM

that huh...she is getting the John Cooper Works package? if so...thats gonna be one mean Mini

fatorangecat · 11-20-2003, 06:21 PM

Havent driven it yet but--
Between me and my upstairs neighbor-

1 MSP
1 Mini Cooper S
1 Porsche 914

Have to trade cars for a day.,,

11-17-2003, 03:18 PM	#1
ping Old Guy Donated: $50 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pgh PA Posts: 1,014	Drive a Mini yet? LOL test driving... Only a handful of cars have actually caused me to LAUGH OUT LOUD during the test drive... and sometimes the subsequent ownership... among them: 1991 16V GTI, SCCA SSB spec, 6-point rollcage, handbuilt techtonics motor, R-compound race tires on my commuter car... 'nuf said! 1989 Olds Cutlass sales car: 4-cylinder Iron Duke, 3-speed automatic... baby blue metallic, bench seat... no cassette... company car. Couldn't get out of its own way... Couldn't believe cars could BE so bad, hated the d@mn thing but it amazed me and, given nothing but routine maintenance and machine washes, never broke in 60kmiles of pretty extreme driving (despite numerous attempts... jk...) The Mini simply had me belly-laughing, and my wife/still-gf tells me that during the "S" test drive I actually "giggled" (her word, not mine, and I don't remember anything but the afterglow...) SO... unless you're prepared to relinquish the keys to your MSP, do NOT drive the Mini. It's a hoot. GREAT car, but was too small for me. I thought the MSP came closest to the Mini's direct "feel", and it offered me the stereo and an extra seatbelt in back to boot. What did you guys think? (PS: "Guys" = generic, non-gender specific term) -LD __________________ Was.... '03 black MSP 1108: Stealthy '03.5 wheels, Delsing rear bushing kit, DaveB, HiddenHitch, Ichiban knob, F1 GsD3's Is... Mini Cooper S Checkmate, Astro Black (same as MSP Black Mica, but with more blue flake!)

11-17-2003, 03:21 PM	#2
REMillers The Cheat Says..... Donated: $45 Mazda, RX8 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Woodbridge-F'burg, VA Posts: 3,565	I'd love to take one around a AutoX or track once, looks like a enjoyable little sprinter. Don't know about laughing out loud, though I would have a big old shit grin. __________________ Now you will recieve us! We do not ask for your poor or your hungry. We do not want your tired and sick. It is your corrupt we claim! It is your evil that will be sought by us. With every breath we shall hunt them down. Each day we will spill their blood, 'till it rains down from the skies! Do not kill, do not rape, do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace! These are not polite suggestions. These are codes of behavior and those of you that ignore them will pay the dearest cost! There are varying degrees of evil. We urge you lesser forms of filth, not to push the bounds and cross over, into true corruption, into our domain. For if you do, one day you will look behind you and you will see we three and on that day YOU WILL REAP IT! And will send you to whatever god you wish.

11-17-2003, 03:23 PM	#3
funnylittlman Registered User Protege Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,048	I hear they have had many ecu reflashes due to their hessitation issue, can you attest to this Ping when you drove it? __________________

11-17-2003, 03:36 PM	#4
Zray Addicted to Mspeed™ DT MSP Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 171	I drove the SRT4 and the Tiburon when car shopping a couple weeks ago, and the only time I had that giddy experience you're describing was earlier that same day when I jumped in the MSP on a lark. I remember the first time I saw a MSP; I was at a car show and had been checking out all the 350z's and Crossfires and all those fancy shmancy cars, and then I saw this bright yellow thing parked at the Mazda section and started checking it out, immediately thinking "they've tricked this one out pretty nice for the show." Heh... of course it was stock I test drove the MSP before the other cars, and nothing else I've been in since then comes even close. I thought about checking out a Mini, but it's just so... small. =) __________________

11-17-2003, 07:36 PM	#6
Excitmnt94 I'm really not obsessed.. 2003 VW GTI 1.8T Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 188	yeah...those are what i am shooting for next year in Auto-X. at the last event...i was only about a second behind the first place mini S. i still need to drive one though...just to see how fun they can be. __________________

11-17-2003, 04:16 PM	#5
laracroft Banned MazdaSpeed Protege 2003.5 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,669	Mini's are cute. I just keep having lil' people thoughts though. Even time I see one stop at a light, I keep imagining about 15 clowns with lil umbrellas and big red shoes poping out. lol

11-17-2003, 08:40 PM	#7
Aaron Registered User 2003 MSP Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston (League City) Posts: 560	minis are kewl!!! i test drove an "s" and it was awesome. I would of got one if it was 5grand cheeper. the msp is the best bang for the buck!!!! I love my msp!!!! __________________ Spicy Orange #1687 missing. I want it back.

11-17-2003, 10:13 PM	#8
ping Old Guy Donated: $50 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pgh PA Posts: 1,014	Aww c'mon! This is an MSP thread - comparing the MSP to the Mini! Over zealous cleanup this time... ;-) no probs though, got me into a new car lounge for a while... And nope - no hesitation in the "S" that I drove, but I was laughing too hard (maybe that causes the hesitation....!) __________________ Sigs are visible only in your first post on a page. To change your thread display preferences, click here and enable 'Always Show Signature'. Last edited by ping; 11-17-2003 at 10:17 PM.

11-17-2003, 10:18 PM	#9
122 Vega Retired MSP Racer! 03 Mazdaspeed Protege #1668, 2004 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 2,240	Supposedly the hesitation in first gear in the Mins is fixed, I'll find out in May when my wife takes delivery of this... [IMG]/members/122 Vega/CooperS/ccopersworks.jpg[/IMG] __________________ Falken Azenis 235/40/17, TWM short Shifter/ Urethane Bushings, Indigo Pullies, Nology Wires, Oddessy P680MT Battery (13lbs), Wedge Seat Brackets, GT Spec Front Upper Strut Bar, Custom Swaybar Endlinks

11-18-2003, 11:37 AM	#10
Excitmnt94 I'm really not obsessed.. 2003 VW GTI 1.8T Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 188	that huh...she is getting the John Cooper Works package? if so...thats gonna be one mean Mini __________________ Sigs are visible only in your first post on a page. To change your thread display preferences, click here and enable 'Always Show Signature'.

11-20-2003, 06:21 PM	#11
fatorangecat Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 62	Havent driven it yet but-- Between me and my upstairs neighbor- 1 MSP 1 Mini Cooper S 1 Porsche 914 Have to trade cars for a day.,, __________________ -'03 Black MSP. -'66 Volvo 122 2 Door

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